"At MOPS International, our hearts are broken for the families in Newtown, Connecticut. We're lifting them in prayer, asking for God's divine comfort to surround them. While our heads cannot make sense of this horrific tragedy, our hearts are overwhelmed with love and concern for these moms and dads, friends and community members in Newtown, Connecticut," says Sherry Surratt, CEO and President of MOPS International {Mothers of Preschoolers}

Dear moms,

My heart hurts as I grieve today with the families in Newtown, Connecticut. The questions of, "why?" and, "how could this happen?" swirl in my head as I try to make sense of such a horrific tragedy. My head and heart are overwhelmed when I think of the loss and pain these families are facing and I desperately want to help. I know you do as well. While we can't undo what has occurred, we can join together and do what moms do best: offer unconditional love and support, and an unshakeable foundation of strength and courage in the face of pain and loss.

I'd like to invite you to join MOPS International in a National Call to Prayer for moms, by moms. Please join us this Wednesday, December 19, at 9:45 a.m. Central Time, to observe a moment of prayer as we lift up the families who were devastated by this shooting. Specifically, we'd like to pray for the moms whose hearts are broken, that they will feel God's arms surrounding them during the difficult days ahead.

I'm also praying for families across our world, whose hearts are filled with fear as they consider these events. None of this makes sense, and fear feels close and crippling. On behalf of moms everywhere, I'm calling out to the God who holds each of us in his big comforting hands. I'm crying out for the moms, who even this day, dealt with fear and anxiety. I'm praying this verse on their behalf.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Psalm 16:11

God truly is our rock of comfort and strength, even when nothing around us makes sense. At our Denver MOPS office, we'll be gathering this Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. Central Time (8:45 a.m. Mountain Time) to join hands and pray. We'll be crying out to the rock that is higher than us on behalf of the dear families in Newtown, and for moms everywhere. Will you join us?

We will also be inviting moms to share their prayers at www.facebook.com/MOPS.Int

About MOPS INTERNATIONAL
Denver-based MOPS International is a non-profit ministry that creates communities to help "Better Moms Make A Better World." Since 1973, MOPS International has served millions of mothers and families in thousands of local MOPS groups across the U.S. and in 38 countries internationally.  MOPS ministries include Classic MOPS, Teen MOPS, Military MOPS, International MOPS and MOMSnext.  MOPS is the best in the world at creating authentic communities of growth that invite women into a spiritual relationship.
www.MOPS.org www.MOPS.org/groups www.facebook.com/MOPS.Int www.youtube.com/MOPSint

Des Moines, December 17, 2012–The Iowa Supreme Court Lawyer Trust Account Commission is accepting applications for grants under the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) program for the grant period that begins July 1, 2013. IOLTA program grants are awarded to public purpose projects that provide legal services to low-income persons in civil cases, law-related education, and other programs that improve the administration of justice in Iowa.

Under recently adopted changes in chapter 44 of the Iowa Court Rules, applicants now must file one copy of their application in paper form and one copy in electronic form. Organizations may obtain a copy of the revised rules and grant application forms (paper and electronic) by contacting the Lawyer Trust Account Commission, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319; by calling (515) 725-8029; or by electronic mail to iolta@iowacourts.gov. Application forms also may be downloaded from the Commission's web page on the Iowa Judicial Branch web site at:

http://www.iowacourts.gov/Professional_Regulation/Attorney_RegulationCommissions/IOLTA

The Commission must receive completed grant applications no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2013. The Commission will then review the applications and seek approval from the Iowa Supreme Court for awarding the grants. Grant recipients will be announced in late May or early June of 2013.

The Iowa Supreme Court created the Commission to provide legal services to low-income persons in civil cases using the interest from lawyers' pooled trust accounts. The lawyers' pooled trust accounts hold clients' funds that are so small in amount or held for such a brief period that it is not possible for interest on the funds to financially benefit the individual clients. Previously, attorneys' trust accounts earned no interest. The first grants awarded under the IOLTA program were made in June, 1986. To date, the Commission has awarded more than $23,203,000 in grants.

# # #

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin work on blasting rock pinnacles threatening barge traffic 

EAST ALTON, Ill. - December 17, 2012. As work begins to blast away rock pinnacles posing a hazard to barge traffic on the Mississippi River, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon participated in a meeting today convened by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, members of Illinois' Congressional Delegation and industry stakeholders to discuss the Corps' response to the Mississippi's near-record low water level. During the meeting, the Corps provided a briefing on their efforts - including removing the rock pinnacles between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., and increasing dredging - to maintain water flow on the Mississippi.

"The Mississippi River is a vital economic tool that enables our farmers and companies to efficiently ship goods around the world. Transporting those goods on our roads or by rail will cost many times more than shipping them along the river, and many of our Illinois companies - who employ thousands of hard-working men and women - cannot afford those costs. I would like to thank Sen. Durbin for convening this panel of experts, and I look forward to working together to preserve this important economic engine," Simon said.

In addition to Simon, Durbin and the Army Corps of Engineers, the meeting was attended by U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL-12) and representatives from stakeholder industries such as agriculture, shipping, coal and petroleum.  A complete list of meeting attendees is attached.

"We came together as users and stakeholders, industry and government interests, concerned about low water levels on the Mississippi and the effects it could have on the economy locally, regionally, and nationally," Durbin said. "I look forward to continuing to work together in a productive way to build on the successes we've had in the last few weeks to maintain navigation on the river."

Today, Army Corps contractors will begin demolishing rock pinnacles posing a hazard to barges along a fifteen-mile stretch of river near Thebes. Both contractors will use specialized "drill rig barges" to drill large holes into bedrock, insert blast material and remove the rock. Assistant Secretary Darcy agreed to expedite the blasting process, which is expected to last 30-45 days, following a meeting with Sen. Durbin and several other senators.                               

On Dec. 7, Lt. Governor Simon, chair of the Mississippi River Coordinating Council convened a meeting with officials from the Corps to discuss the impact the 2012 drought has had on water levels of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The Lt. Governor also wrote to U.S. Army Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy, urging federal officials to intervene to help preserve the river.

Water levels are already approaching 1989's record drought levels, and barges are currently required to carry lighter loads. Mississippi River commerce is estimated to be a $180 billion a year industry. If water levels drop below nine feet, barge traffic from St. Louis to Cairo, Ill. could be shut down. Trucks utilize more fuel than barges, and barges are able to carry a larger volume of goods than trains or trucks. According to the federal Government Accounting Office, the cost of trucking goods is nine times higher than the cost of transporting products by water.

In addition to blasting, the Corps is also planning to increase dredging along the river. Besides the dredging machine already in use, the Corps mobilized a second dredging machine last week and has identified other dredging ships which can be used, if necessary, to keep the river open to traffic.

The Mississippi River is a critical transportation artery for essential commodities like corn, grain and oilseeds, coal, petroleum and other products. The financial impact of a river shutdown could be far reaching. This summer's historic drought has caused the Mississippi's water level to fall to historic lows, threatening navigation of the river. Recent rainfall and weather forecasts have improved the Mississippi's outlook, though the water level could still fall to a record low as soon as Dec. 26.

  ###

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released a letter sent by a bipartisan coalition of lieutenant governors from eight states to congressional leaders supporting the Wind Production Tax Credit (PTC). Reynolds brought together the lieutenant governors of Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Rhode Island and Washington in support of an extension to the wind PTC.

The full letter can be found here.

"The wind energy industry is not only a source of renewable energy, but it is also a vital component of the Iowa and American economy," said Reynolds. "Over 6,000 Iowans are able to trace their employment to the wind industry. I am proud that my colleagues joined me to urge Congress to pass the Wind PTC extension allowing our states and the wind industry to continue harnessing American energy, creating jobs and expanding economic development in the process."

Lt. Gov. Joseph Garcia (D-Colo.), Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon (D-Minn.), Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy ( R-Neb.),Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb (R-Okla.), Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts (D-R.I.),  Lt. Gov. Matt Michels (R-S.D.) and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (D-Wash.) joined Reynolds in signing on to the letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Without action from Congress, the Wind PTC will expire at the end of December.

In the letter the lieutenant governors state, "Without the PTC extensions, the U.S. economy will lose tens of thousands of jobs and the opportunity to leverage $10 billion of private investment." The letter continues, "Businesses in our states need the certainty of a PTC extension to encourage new capital investments, maintain their competitive edge of wind energy technologies, and create high paying jobs."

The letter concludes by pointing out the PTC enjoys bipartisan support from members of Congress, states and the private sector. Every member of the Iowa congressional delegation supports an extension of the wind PTC and Lt. Gov. Reynolds' letter is the latest action Iowa leaders have taken to show support for an extension.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

December 14, 2012

The Honorable Harry Reid

Majority Leader

U.S. Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable John Boehner

Speaker of the House

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Minority Leader

U.S. Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Majority Leader Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Boehner, and Representative Pelosi:

We urge you to pass legislation that extends the wind energy production tax credit (PTC) scheduled to expire at the end of this month.

The United States enjoys some of the best wind resources in the world.  The PTC has helped enable a fledgling wind industry to develop technological advances that are creating jobs, building state manufacturing bases, lowering energy costs, and promoting American energy independence.  Today, nearly 500 wind manufacturing facilities are located in 43 states.  America's wind energy industry has generated nearly $20 billion in private investment annually in each of the last five years.  The growth in the wind energy industry has been matched with significant gains in efficiency; however, more time is needed for the industry to mature.

Uncertainty regarding the PTC's continuance has already reduced wind turbine orders, halted projects, and resulted in thousands of wind industry layoffs across the country.  Without a PTC extension, the US economy will lose tens of thousands of jobs and the opportunity to leverage $10 billion of private investment.  The effects of instable Federal policy can already be seen.  In just two examples, Siemens laid off 407 workers at its blade manufacturing facility in Fort Madison, Iowa, and Oregon-based Iberdrola Renewables laid off 50 of its employees and canceled several US projects.  Businesses in our states need the certainty of a PTC extension to encourage new capital investments, maintain their competitive edge of wind energy technologies, and create high-paying jobs.  We are concerned about the impact of these layoffs and manufacturing reductions on the families affected and on our state economies.

The PTC has enjoyed bipartisan support from Members of Congress, states, and private businesses because it is a successful tax policy that reaps economic and energy rewards.  We encourage you to quickly pass a wind production tax credit extension to help fuel high-tech jobs and domestic energy production.

Sincerely,

Kim Reynolds                                                            Joseph A. Garcia

Lieutenant Governor, State of Iowa                           Lieutenant Governor, State of Colorado

Rick Sheehy                                                                  Matt Michels

Lieutenant Governor, State of Nebraska                       Lieutenant Governor, State of South Dakota

Elizabeth H. Roberts                                                            Brad Owen

Lieutenant Governor, State of Rhode Island                        Lieutenant Governor, State of Washington

Yvonne Prettner Solon                                                  Todd Lamb

Lieutenant Governor, State of Minnesota                      Lieutenant Governor, State of Oklahoma

###

For more information, please visit www.ltgovernor.iowa.gov.